BMW 120 M Sport (2019 - 2024)

BMW launched its popular 1 Series back in 2004 and it has gone on to sell three million units globally with the UK accounting for more than 560k of that figure.
Fast forward 20 years and we see the arrival of the all-new fourth-generation model which is available as a five-door hatchback and with a simplified powertrain and trim line-up.
All models in the UK are petrol driven and there are 120 Sport or 120 M Sport versions with 170hp and 280Nm of torque, a 123 xDrive model with 218hp and 360Nm or a powerful M135 xDrive delivering 300hp and 400Nm. This is the fastest of the range with a 0-62mph sprint time of 4.9 seconds and top speed that is limited to 155mph.
Prices start from £31,065 and the 120 cars are powered by a three-cylinder, 1.5-litre engine. These are front-wheel drive, while the 123 xDrive and M135 xDrive have a larger four-cylinder, 2.0-litre engine and feature all-wheel drive.
Due to the low uptake in models featuring manual gearboxes the new 1 Series is now only available with an automatic transmission. BMW believes 70 per cent of sales will be swallowed up by the M Sport model, so that’s the car we tested.
 

The fourth-generation BMW 1 Series is definitely a looker thanks to a dynamic new design. It features a long bonnet, flowing roofline, a lower and wider kidney grille, and powerful rear end. It has increased in length by 42mm and is 25mm taller, while maintaining the same width dimensions.
Additional eye-catching features, especially on our M Sport test car, included large air intakes on the front apron, M Sport brakes with red calipers, an M sport spoiler and model-specific lights with arrow shaped daytime running lights.
Moving in side there is a thoroughly modern and upmarket cabin that is very neatly designed with a real focus on the driver. 
Once again, M Sport models feature individual design cues, such red, light and dark blue seat belts, an M Sport steering wheel and flashes of colour on the dashboard and doors.
The seats are powered and, along with the steering wheel, can be heated against the winter chill. There is a panoramic sunroof that lets light flood into the cabin, while the infotainment set-up consists two screens measuring 10.25 and 10.7 inches and these sit behind a curved screen. 
The car boasts the very latest Operating System 9 software and on-board technology is impressive with a head-up display clearly showing vital data such as the speed, while the main screen offers access to a Harman Kardon sound system, sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, DAB radio, Bluetooth, Parking Assist and plenty more besides.
All the tech is fairly easy to use on the move, but we did miss the BMW rotary iDrive controller that would make accessing features that much easier.
It’s worth noting too that the latest 1 Series is the first model in the brand’s range to be offered with the option of a contrasting roof.
 

Our 1 Series 120 M Sport was powered by a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine that works in tandem with a 48V battery to deliver 170hp and 280Nm of torque. Despite being the lower powered model in the line-up, it still had plenty of poke with a 0-62mph sprint time of 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 140mph.
Out on the open road, the 1 Series is perfectly balanced thanks to its low centre of gravity. It can be pushed hard into tight bends with the utmost confidence and is also a very comfy dual carriageway cruiser.
The acceleration through the dual-clutch seven-speed Steptronic transmission is beautifully smooth with ample power on tap to overtake slower moving vehicles or join a motorway from a slip road. There are steering wheel mounted paddles for added driver engagement and, in addition, there are drive modes that alter the driving characteristics of the car. These are called Personal, Sport and Efficient.
To improve the handling, a new suspension set-up has been introduced across the range, and Driving Assist, along with Parking assist are also now standard features on all models.
The ride is a little on the firm side and if you hit a pothole, the shockwaves ripple through the car, but apart from that it’s all nicely refined with barely a sound filtering into the cabin.
The steering is perfectly weighted with excellent levels of driver feedback and the all-round visibility is good which is a bonus in stop-and go town centre driving with cars, cyclists and pedestrians darting out from all angles.
 

When viewed from any angle, the BMW 1 Series is a great looking car with sporty good looks and a dynamic profile. It stretches 4,361mm in length, is 1,800mm (2,072mm with mirrors) across, 1,459mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,670mm.

There will be no complaints about the space up front with ample room for a couple of six footers to sit comfortably. Back seat occupants do not fare quite so well though, especially if the front seats are pushed right back. A couple of grown-ups would be fine over a shorter journey, but ideally it is room enough for youngsters.

The boot is accessed via a powered tailgate and can swallow 300 litres of luggage, increasing to 1,135 litres with the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. The 1 Series M135 model has a slightly larger boot at 380 litres, increasing to 1,200 litres.

In addition, there’s lots of storage options throughout the cabin, such as  a glovebox, door bins, deep front and rear cup holders, a central cubby and a wireless charging pad. There are no seat back nets or pockets though.

The BMW 1 Series line-up costs from £31,065 from the entry-level 120 Sport and increases to £43,000 for the powerhouse that is the M135 xDrive model.
Our 120 M Sport car started out carrying a £33,065 price-tag, but as is the norm with premium manufacturers, there are all manner of ways to improve and personalise the vehicles via optional extras and packs … at a price.
For example, our test car included striking Thundernight purple paintwork, upgraded interior upholstery, a heated steering wheel, powered tailgate, an M Sport Package Pro that introduced lots of styling kit, a panoramic glass roof, powered seats with memory settings, a Harman Kardon surround sound system, High Beam assist, a head-up display, wireless charging and a number of other features.
These add-ons saw the final price creep up to £42,335 and that takes it into the luxury car category which results in extra tax bills.
When it comes to the day-to-day running costs, the BMW 120 M Sport can deliver a combined 47.0-53.2mpg under WLTP testing with carbon emissions of 127g/km. That CO2 output will result in a first-rear road tax bill (Vehicle Excise Charge) of £220 dropping to the standard fee of £190 after 12 months.
But those options took the final cost over the £40k threshold and that means owners will need to find a further £410 from years two to six as part of an expensive car supplement.
If anyone is looking at the 120 M Sport as a company car, it has a Benefit in Kind tax rating of 30 per cent and the insurance rating for the BMW 1 Series, as tested, is group 21.
 

The new BMW 1 Series is an excellent compact family hatchback that covers the practicality bases well, but still delivers on the performance front. The choice of engines and trims has been simplified, but is certainly still comprehensive enough.
All in all, this premium hatchback boasts powerful design features and has a very posh interior that’s generously equipped with all the high-end tech we demand from modern day cars.
And, possibly the best news of all, the price has either decreased or increased marginally compared to the outgoing model.